Egypt: 30 suspected militants, 4 soldiers killed in Sinai

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

(CNN)Thirty militants and four soldiers were killed Thursday in clashes in northern Sinai, according to an Egyptian military spokesman.

The violence erupted near a security checkpoint at the city of Sheikh Zuweid, said Brig. Gen. Mohamed Samir.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted troops.

In a statement, it claimed that the Egyptian army had tried to push forward toward the village of Toma, but that the group's militants succeeded in forcing the troops back by carrying out attacks and killing military personnel.

Security forces have been battling militants in northern Sinai for several years.

Read More

ISIS has previously claimed responsibility for various attacks in the Sinai, where hundreds of people have been killed by the terror group. ISIS has typically targeted security and government installations.